ESPN NFL

Offensive tackle Tyson Clabo explained his release from the Atlanta Falcons as "sudden" and "unexpected." But Clabo explained in a conference call why he feels he landed on his feet quite well by signing with the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.

“When I was released and became a free agent, one of the things we wanted to find out was who had interest,” Clabo explained. “What teams do I think have use [for a right tackle] and on the move upward in the league? Miami was right there.”

Clabo, 31, is projected to start at right tackle for Miami after signing a one-year contract. Clabo started at right tackle for a majority of his career. He also played right guard in Atlanta in 2006. Miami’s in-house candidate, Jonathan Martin, is now the likely starter at left tackle.

Like many of Miami’s free-agent acquisitions, Clabo cited the potential of Dolphins second-year quarterback Ryan Tannehill as one of the key reasons why he joined the team. Clabo grew with 2008 first-round quarterback Matt Ryan in Atlanta to become a perennial playoff contender and aims for similar results in Miami.

The Dolphins, my sleeper pick in 2013, look solid on paper and will try to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2008 season.

“We made some big moves in the offseason in free agency, and the draft look like it went really well,” Clabo said of the Dolphins. “With the young QB with a lot of upside, I feel like we can make some noise.”

The Miami Dolphins could go in several directions with the No. 12 overall pick. Miami also has 11 selections total, which affords the team the flexibility to move up if necessary. That makes the Dolphins one of the most unpredictable teams in this month's NFL draft.

Miami has needs at cornerback, offensive tackle and defensive end. That is why ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay pegged Florida State cornerback Xavier Rhodes for the Dolphins at No. 12.

But on a conference call with ESPN.com's Blog Network on Friday, I asked McShay about the prospects of Miami moving up to get a higher-rated player. McShay felt strongly about one position for the Dolphins.

Here was McShay's response:

"If I’m moving up, I’m moving up for a left tackle. That’s just me. Cornerbacks are one of the four key positions. But left tackle is one of the two or three in terms of positional value, in my opinion. If I just invested the No. 8 pick last year in [Ryan] Tannehill and saw the promise I saw from him this past year and lose a Jake Long. ... I don't know. I would be sick to my stomach going into a season with Jonathan Martin as my left tackle if I'm trying to build around [Tannehill]. How many years have we've been looking for a quarterback for Miami? How many years? I feel like it's Groundhogs Day every single year in the draft, saying 'Well, they haven't had a quarterback since Dan Marino.' Now you've got one, so don't screw it up. To me, this is a no-brainer if you're the Dolphins. Give up the pick, move up and go get Lane Johnson, if not Eric Fisher, and lock down that spot."

I agree with McShay. Offensive tackle is the second-most important position on the field. Barring significant improvement from Martin, the Dolphins currently do not have one. This is a draft deep with quality offensive tackles, and Miami would do itself and Tannehill a huge favor by securing his blind side.

Miami Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland has a lot to feel good about. He’s in the process of completing arguably the most successful free-agent period in team history, and there is a significant buzz in South Florida regarding its pro football team again.

Optimism is running high with the Dolphins, and Ireland is leading the charge. He has 11 draft picks at his disposal, which is tied for the third most in the NFL. Miami also is a popular sleeper pick by some, including the AFC East blog, to push for a playoff spot next season.

As surprising as it may seem, the once-embattled Ireland's stock clearly is on the rise. But his job is only half complete. In order for the Dolphins to make a complete turnaround in 2013, Ireland cannot botch the upcoming draft.

“Obviously, we like the progress,” Ireland said during his pre-draft news conference this week. “We felt like we’ve made some progress. There’s been a lot of work that went into it obviously. I’ve got a lot of people to thank.”

Things were not so rosy for Ireland one year ago. After three straight losing seasons from 2009-2011, Ireland became the second biggest villain in South Florida sports, after Miami Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria.

Last year, Dolphins fans picketed outside the team’s training facility to send a message. The “Fire-land” movement was prevalent heading into the 2012 season.

But Ireland quieted critics by nailing last year’s draft. He landed a potential franchise quarterback (Ryan Tannehill) in the first round, a starting offensive tackle (Jonathan Martin) in the second round, a pass-rusher off the bench (Olivier Vernon) in the third round and an eventual starting tailback (Lamar Miller) in the fourth round. That set the foundation for last year’s 7-9 campaign. It was Miami's fourth straight losing season, but the team finally appeared to be going in the right direction.

This is a make-or-break year for Ireland, and the general manager is doing all he can to ensure the Dolphins take the next step in 2013. That partially explains why Ireland spared no expense to land top free agents on the open market, such as receiver Mike Wallace, linebacker Dannell Ellerbe, tight end Dustin Keller and cornerback Brent Grimes. Miami’s win-now approach to free agency not only reflects the team's attitude, but also Ireland's sense of job security.

Part of the turnaround is linked to the decision to hire head coach Joe Philbin. Many believed Ireland should have been fired with former coach Tony Sparano last year. However, Dolphins owner Stephen Ross trusted Ireland to find the right head coach.

The first year of Philbin and Ireland teaming up together went smoothly. The two are much more on the same page than Ireland and Sparano were.

“One of the things I liked about Joe in the interview process was that he and I see players pretty much the same,” Ireland said. “Schematically is where maybe it’s changed. Character and makeup, those things, we see very much eye-to-eye on. I’m probably a little bit more of a risk-taker than maybe Joe, but we certainly see eye-to-eye.

“We want guys that are highly competitive. We want guys that have a specific combination of intangible ingredients that form a desired football personality. That’s absolutely what we’re trying to look for.”

Ireland signed off on approximately $200 million worth of contracts to land free agents and keep in-house players such as defensive tackle Randy Starks, receiver Brian Hartline and backup quarterback Matt Moore. It’s rare for NFL teams to have immense cap room and so many draft picks in the same year. Ireland was afforded that luxury, and this offseason will be the most important of his career. What he does now will set the tone for the franchise for many years.

Free agency strengthened Miami’s roster to the point where Ireland doesn't need all 11 of his draft picks. Miami has five picks in the first three rounds, which could be valuable as trade chips with other teams.

“I’ve got enough ammunition to get to the first pick if I wanted to,” Ireland explained. “But I don’t see myself doing that personally. I don’t know. It depends on what’s there and we haven’t gone through the process of [figuring that out] and talking to other teams at this point and seeing where we would go up or back. Right now, we’re trying to get the board right and we’re kind of grinding through the process.”

Free agency is pretty much in the books, and the Dolphins certainly did well in that phase of the offseason. If Ireland finishes strong with a quality draft in two weeks, Miami will be poised to contend in the AFC East.

As optimism rises for the Dolphins, so does the perception of Ireland in South Florida. Who would have thought the general manager many Dolphins fans recently wanted fired would spearhead the team's resurgence just one year later?

Well-known NFL agent Drew Rosenhaus does not work for the Miami Dolphins. However, Rosenhaus is based in Miami and has a lot of strong ties to South Florida.

That is why you cannot entirely dismiss Rosenhaus' comments Monday, when he claimed (with confidence) that the Dolphins will draft an offensive tackle in the first round later this month.

"At this point, that’s what I’m hearing from everyone," said Rosenhaus, according to Ben Volin of the Palm Beach Post.

Rosenhaus has had direct talks with Miami recently, because his client Eric Winston is on the team's radar. Talks have stalled with the free-agent right tackle, because Miami wants to further what’s available in the draft.

The Dolphins' interest in a first-round offensive tackle makes sense. The position is very deep in this draft and Miami lost four-time Pro Bowl left tackle Jake Long in free agency. It's possible the Dolphins can move 2012 second-round pick Jonathan Martin to the left side. But Martin had mixed results at the position last year.

Some offensive tackle possibilities for the Dolphins at No. 12 are Oklahoma’s Lane Johnson and Alabama’s D.J. Fluker.

This week, the AFC East blog will run a series on three top draft possibilities for each team. We start Monday with the Miami Dolphins, who hold the No. 12 overall pick.

Option No. 1: OT Lane Johnson, Oklahoma

Analysis: The Dolphins did a solid job of filling many of their holes in free agency. Miami plugged needs at wide receiver, tight end and guard. This puts Miami in a good position to take the best available player or draft for need. Johnson, if he's still on the board at No. 12, could be both. Johnson is the third-rated offensive tackle behind Luke Joeckel and Eric Fisher. But Johnson has a high ceiling and is capable of playing left or right tackle at the next level. The Dolphins lost left tackle Jake Long in free agency and are still looking for a replacement. Options include Jonathan Martin, signing a veteran free agent (Eric Winston?) or considering a player like Johnson in the draft.

Options No. 2: CB Xavier Rhodes, Florida State

Analysis: Personally, I think Rhodes is more of a top-20 or top-25 pick. But Miami needs corners and Rhodes could be the best one on the board at No. 12. Rhodes is big and physical, which would fit in well in Miami. The Dolphins are in the process of remaking their cornerback position. Rhodes and free-agent signing Brent Grimes, if healthy, would be a solid one-two punch and a good mix of youth and experience at corner for Miami.

Options No. 3: S Kenny Vaccaro, Texas

Analysis: The Dolphins re-signed Chris Clemons this offseason. But it's still enticing for Miami to take the best safety in this draft. Vaccaro can do it all. Vaccaro can cover, he's good in run support and he can drop down in the slot, which Miami needs. Clemons and Reshad Jones are a decent tandem, but Vaccaro and Jones together would be more dangerous long-term.

The Miami Dolphins quickly went to work this week to find a replacement for four-time Pro Bowler Jake Long. One day after re-signing versatile backup offensive tackle Nate Garner, Miami is meeting with unrestricted free agent Eric Winston, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.

Winston would be a good fit in Miami for several reasons. He's a former University of Miami alum and knows the area well. Winston also is very durable. He has 103 career starts and has not missed a game in six seasons. Winston played in all 16 games last year for the Kansas City Chiefs.

The biggest question is can Winston play left tackle? He's played most of his career at right tackle, and asking Winston to switch to the left side full-time might be asking too much.

Miami's 2012 second-round pick, Jonathan Martin, is currently the favorite to replace Long on the left side. If Winston is signed, perhaps Martin and Winston would have to compete at left tackle in training camp, with the loser getting the right side.

Schefter also reports the New England Patriots, San Diego Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys are interested in Winston.

The Miami Dolphins did not sign an immediate replacement for former left tackle Jake Long, but Miami did get a player Tuesday who provides the offensive line more flexibility.

The Dolphins re-signed right tackle Nate Garner, the team announced. He's a versatile backup who started four games last year. Garner also provides Miami the option of moving 2012 second-round pick Jonathan Martin to the left side if the Dolphins cannot find a viable replacement for Long.

This is just the beginning for Miami at offensive tackle. The Dolphins will further address the need in the draft or free agency. Garner isn't a major signing, but he’s not a bad insurance policy.

The Miami Dolphins lost one of their franchise centerpieces in free agency Monday. Left tackle and former No. 1 overall pick Jake Long left Miami for the St. Louis Rams with a four-year, $35 million contract.

Long's departure marks the end of an era in Miami. He had five years and four Pro Bowls for the Dolphins. But now it is time to move on.

Who will replace Long in Miami? There are several options for the Dolphins.

Will Miami look to free agency? There are still available offensive tackles such as Eric Winston, Sebastian Vollmer and Andre Smith. The Dolphins still have money to spend to add a veteran offensive tackle.

What about the NFL draft? The Dolphins hold the No. 12 overall pick, and five selections in the first three rounds. Offensive tackle is one position the team could fill.

Finally, will Miami look in-house? The Dolphins have 2012 second-round pick Jonathan Martin, who started at right tackle most of last season. Martin played left tackle in college and filled in for Long at the end of the season with mixed results.

Using our SportsNation poll, vote on how Miami should replace Long. You can also share your thoughts in the comments section below.

The Miami Dolphins entered this offseason with more than $40 million of cap space. They certainly were not afraid to spend it last week on big-name free agents such as receiver Mike Wallace and linebacker Dannell Ellerbe.

But the Dolphins took an entirely different approach when it came to left tackle Jake Long. Miami held tight to its purse strings and only offered Long a team-friendly contract it was comfortable with. The Dolphins fearlessly let Long test the open market. If Long could get a better offer elsewhere, the Dolphins were fine with that.

In the end, Long landed a better offer. He reportedly agreed to a four-year contract worth a maximum of $36 million with the St. Louis Rams. The $9 million per year average was simply too rich for the Dolphins. I seriously doubt anyone in Miami’s front office will lose sleep for refusing to overpay for Long's services.

The Dolphins drafted Long No. 1 overall in 2008 and know the left tackle better than any other team. It was clear during negotiations Miami believed Long was no longer elite. Long has been injury riddled and on the decline for the past two years. The Dolphins wisely were not going to pay Long for the player he once was, but only for the player he currently is.

Long had no choice but to leave Miami in order to get the type of money he wanted. The Dolphins simply knew too much. They had Long in his prime years and felt he was getting further and further away from that player. Although the NFL is unpredictable, there is a greater chance of Long taking the Tony Boselli route in the second half of his career than suddenly reverting back to the best left tackle in football, which he arguably was from 2008-10.

But a team like St. Louis, which desperately needs someone to protect quarterback Sam Bradford, is willing to take a risk on Long at $9 million per year. Still, St. Louis met with Long last week for three days, which included a physical. It was clear the Rams also had some reservations.

Miami now has a hole to fill at left tackle, but there are other options. The Dolphins could move 2012 second-round pick Jonathan Martin from right tackle to left tackle or find a viable replacement in the draft or free agency. Offensive tackles available with starting experience include Eric Winston and Sebastian Vollmer, who are more affordable options.

The Jake Long era ends in Miami with mixed reviews. He was a popular and elite left tackle during his first three years. However, Long's last two seasons in Miami were less than stellar, and the Dolphins probably cut ties with him at the right time.

Only one AFC East team utilized the franchise tag last year. The New England Patriots tagged Pro Bowl receiver Wes Welker, who caught 118 receptions for 1,354 yards and six touchdowns in 2012.

Welker lived up to the expensive, $9.5 million salary in 2012. But will more AFC East teams use the franchise tag to retain valuable free agents in 2013?

There were 19 teams total that utilized the franchise tag last season. Here are the top candidates in the AFC East this offseason:

Jairus Byrd, S, Buffalo Bills

2012 stats: 76 tackles, five interceptions, four forced fumbles

Analysis: Byrd is Buffalo's top free agent. The former second-round pick also is the top safety on the market not named Ed Reed. Byrd will get a lot of interest if he hits the open market. However, it is doubtful the Bills will allow Byrd to fly away without a fight. Buffalo is making Byrd the team's biggest offseason priority. The preference would be a long-term extension. But the Bills also won't be afraid to use their franchise tag to keep Byrd in Buffalo for at least the 2013 season.

Chance for franchise tag: 50 percent

Andy Levitre, G, Bills

2012 stats: 16 starts

Analysis: It's rare for a guard to receive consideration for the franchise tag. The position has been tagged only once in the past 12 years. However, Levitre and the Bills are in a tricky situation. He is one of the top guards in the NFL, and the reason he hasn't been to a Pro Bowl is mostly because he plays in Buffalo. Levitre is athletic, smart and durable. He has a streak of 64 consecutive starts at a position where injuries are prevalent. However, Byrd is first in line for the tag in Buffalo. The Bills run the risk of losing their best guard if they can't reach a long-term extension. But that is a position that is easier to replace than safety.

Chance for franchise tag: 15 percent

Wes Welker, WR, Patriots

2012 stats: 118 receptions, 1,354 yards, six touchdowns

Analysis: The Patriots have used the franchise tag for two straight years to settle contract disputes. In 2011, Pro Bowl guard Logan Mankins was tagged and later signed a long-term extension. Will the same thing happen to Welker? New England's Pro Bowl receiver was paid a one-year franchise tag of $9.5 million in 2012. The Patriots have the cap room to work out a contract extension with Welker, 31, who had his fifth 100-catch season in New England. A second straight franchise tag will increase Welker's number to $11.4 million. I think that is too much to pay for one year. The Patriots will keep that option in their pocket in case of an emergency. But there's probably a 50-50 chance right now that Welker stays in New England via a multi-year contract. A two- or three-year extension for $7 million-$8 million seems reasonable for both sides. If not, Welker may test the open market.

Chance for franchise tag: 30 percent

Sean Smith, CB, Miami Dolphins

2012 stats: 59 tackles, three interceptions

Analysis: The Dolphins have about $40 million in cap space and the potential to do just about anything they choose. Miami would prefer not to use the franchise tag this year, but there are a couple scenarios for the team to consider. Smith is one of those difficult cases. Is Smith a top-10 cornerback in the NFL? No. However, the Dolphins are so thin in the secondary that franchising Smith cannot be completely ruled out. Miami would have to completely start over at cornerback if it loses Smith. Another team most likely will overpay for Smith's services if he hits the open market, because Smith is a big, athletic corner who plays a coveted position. Although the numbers have not been finalized, a one-year franchise tag for Smith will cost Miami about $10.5 million. I don't expect the Dolphins to do it, but the thought has certainly crossed their minds.

Chance for franchise tag: 20 percent

Jake Long, LT, Miami Dolphins

2012 stats: 12 starts

Analysis: Long is another in-house free agent for Miami who is not expected to get a multi-year extension. He just completed his rookie contract and is looking to become one of the NFL's highest-paid offensive linemen. However, Long has been on the decline the past two seasons. Long was once considered the top left tackle in the NFL until injuries and inconsistent play stunted his career. A one-year franchise tag will cost just under $10 million this year. That will eat up a good percentage of Miami's cap room. The Dolphins have some contingency options if Long doesn't return. They could use 2012 second-round pick Jonathan Martin at left tackle. Or Miami could look to the draft and free agency to find a more affordable option than Long.

Chance for franchise tag: 20 percent

The New York Jets do not have the cap room or strong enough candidates to pay the franchise tender in 2013. Pending free agents such as tailback Shonn Greene, tight end Dustin Keller and safety LaRon Landry are productive players. But neither will get elite money.

The Miami Dolphins have five draft picks in the first three rounds and more than $40 million of salary-cap room this offseason. If this were a poker game, Miami would hold the most chips at the NFL table.

But the person holding all the cards in Miami often makes Dolphins fans nervous. Embattled general manager Jeff Ireland will be calling the shots for the Dolphins during their most important offseason in recent memory. For better or worse, Ireland's decisions over the next few months will significantly impact Miami's franchise for the next three to five years.

Ireland is a polarizing figure in Miami. He is 20-28 since taking over full time for former Dolphins president Bill Parcells in 2010. Ireland's track record the past three years has been inconsistent, and many Miami fans wanted him out before the start of the 2012 season.

Ireland's free-agent signings have been littered with misses. Last year alone, quarterback David Garrard, cornerback Richard Marshall and receiver Chad Johnson were all free-agent busts. Ireland also has been hit-and-miss in the draft. Some of his good picks include rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill and center Mike Pouncey. But Ireland's misses also include tailback Daniel Thomas, receiver Clyde Gates and rookie tight end Michael Egnew. The Koa Misi pick over New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski in 2010 also is hard to forget. That poor decision by Ireland only furthered the gap between Miami and its biggest rival.

So is Ireland the right person to manage more than $40 million and 10 total draft picks? His track record proves the Dolphins are taking a risk.

This is a make-or-break year for Ireland, who still has a lot to prove as Miami's general manager. The good news is Ireland is coming off his best draft in Miami. His 2012 picks included Tannehill, starting offensive tackle Jonathan Martin and contributing reserves Olivier Vernon and Lamar Miller. This group helped lead Miami to a respectable 7-9 record and provided optimism for the future.

"I was impressed with Ireland this past offseason and they are loaded with picks going forward," said Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc. "I would target 2014 to be highly competitive for Miami. It's very achievable."

Of course, all of that is contingent on Ireland making the right calls in 2013.

Ireland's first order of business is taking care of his in-house free agents. The Dolphins have plenty of cap room because many key players are coming off the books. Starters like left tackle Jake Long, leading rusher Reggie Bush, leading receiver Brian Hartline, No. 1 corner Sean Smith and defensive tackle Randy Starks will look to cash in this offseason. These are all tough calls. Miami cannot pay all of them.

It will be up to Ireland, with some input from rookie head coach Joe Philbin, to determine who stays and who goes. Ireland must walk a fine line of paying enough money to keep his own key contributors but still leave enough cap room to chase outside free agents. It will take some shrewd decisions and masterful self-scouting by Ireland. He cannot overrate or overpay his own players, which is a mistake general managers often make.

One of the most important things Ireland must accomplish is getting the right skill players around Tannehill. The rookie quarterback showed a lot of potential in his first year but was hamstrung by limited receivers and tight ends. Tannehill still managed to throw for 3,294 yards, 12 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in his first season.

The good news is the wide receiver position is very strong in free agency this year. Free-agent receivers Greg Jennings, Dwayne Bowe and Mike Wallace are possibilities for the Dolphins, who have the money to spend. Jennings played under Philbin for several years in Green Bay and knows the West Coast offense. Bowe is a Miami native who could return home, and Wallace has the deep speed Miami needs. Each player has the potential to fit well in Miami's offense and provide a boost for Tannehill.

"Wallace's speed would be ideal for Miami, but I trust him the least," Williamson said of this year's free-agent receivers. "Jennings is the most familiar but I worry that he might be on a slight decline. Bowe is really solid and from Miami. I would sign one and still draft a receiver high."

Tannehill also needs a better receiving tight end. This was a staple in Philbin's offenses in Green Bay, but Miami was limited with that position last year. Aging tight end Anthony Fasano could not stretch the field and is a free agent who may not return.

Following free agency, the Dolphins will enter the draft with a first-round pick (No. 12 overall), two second-round picks and two third-round picks. Miami picked up an additional second-rounder last summer from the Indianapolis Colts via the Vontae Davis trade. The Dolphins also got an extra third-rounder from the Chicago Bears for trading receiver Brandon Marshall. These key picks will be used to plug additional holes on the roster.

These are exciting and promising times for Miami. The Dolphins are in prime position to close the gap with the Patriots in the AFC East and perhaps make a playoff run in 2013. But it will be up to Ireland to wisely spend Miami's immense offseason resources.

The New England Patriots spent a lot of time focusing on how to keep Houston Texans sackmaster J.J. Watt away from quarterback Tom Brady. The Patriots did a solid job of holding Watt sackless for the first time in four games during a 42-14 blowout victory.

But things do not get easier for the new Super Bowl favorites. Next up for the Patriots is NFL sack leader Aldon Smith of the San Francisco 49ers. Smith has 19.5 sacks in 13 games.

Blocking Watt was a major challenge. New England provided left tackle Nate Solder with a lot of help from the tight end and running backs. Watt still finished with four tackles, but the Patriots did a good job on making sure Watt didn't make any big plays.

"He's a great player and I don’t think we felt like we were going to be able to just [keep] him from making any plays," Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels said this week. "Hopefully you can contain him from making any impact plays, where he tips the ball up in the air and get an interception, which has happened multiple times this year, or sack the quarterback, strip-sack the quarterback."

Likewise, the Patriots hope they can prevent Smith from making game-changing plays. Smith is coming off a two-sack performance against the Miami Dolphins and has 10 sacks in his past four games.

Smith made one particularly impressive play in San Francisco's Week 14 victory over the Dolphins, bulldozing Miami rookie left tackle Jonathan Martin to sack quarterback Ryan Tannehill. The 49ers have arguably the most physical defense in the NFL, and the Patriots have to account for that.

"They can run over you," Patriots coach Bill Belichick said. "They can run around you and they can rush twists and games, and force the communication and the offensive line to block in different combinations, to handle very good rushers and they have those multiples as well, along with some blitzes. It's a very challenging group all the way across the board."

» NFC Final Word: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

Five nuggets of knowledge about Week 14:

Protecting Brady: The New England Patriots' biggest key to success is protecting quarterback Tom Brady, and they will have a tall task blocking the Houston Texans on "Monday Night Football." Houston is third in the NFL with 36 sacks, and defensive end J.J. Watt is second in the NFL with 16.5 sacks. New England’s pass protection has been up and down this season. Brady has been sacked in nine games, including last week when the Patriots allowed four sacks against the Miami Dolphins. Houston and Watt will be bringing the heat to disrupt Brady, and the Patriots have to do a better job of keeping Brady upright.

Focus on Foster: The Texans can beat you in a variety of ways, but their first option is the running game. Houston runs the ball more than any other NFL team at 34.4 attempts per game. Texans running back Arian Foster is fifth in the NFL with 1,102 yards and first with 13 rushing touchdowns. He is the engine for the Texans. In Houston’s only defeat, Foster rushed for 29 yards on 17 carries in a 42-24 loss against the Green Bay Packers. The Patriots have a physical front seven and are ninth against the run. So expect a war of attrition in the trenches.

Sanchez’s time to respond: New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez returns under center against the Jacksonville Jaguars after getting benched last week in the third quarter. This was a stern wake-up call for the four-year starter. Sanchez has a good chance to have a bounce-back game Sunday against the lowly Jaguars (2-10). The Jaguars are 28th against the pass and 31st against the run, which is tailor-made for the offensively inept Jets. New York coach Rex Ryan proved once that he’s not afraid to pull Sanchez if he’s playing poorly. Expect Sanchez to be on a short leash.

Martin vs. Smith: Miami rookie Jonathan Martin will make his first NFL start at left tackle Sunday at the San Francisco 49ers. Martin's reward: San Francisco pass-rusher Aldon SmithJake Long (triceps) for the season this week and put him on injured reserve. Long will be an unrestricted free agent in March. Martin has a four-game audition for the left tackle spot. If Martin does a good job, starting this week against Smith, the rookie could replace Long next season.

Buffalo's shift at center: The Buffalo Bills lost starting center Eric Wood for the next two to four weeks with a knee injury. If last season was any indication, this is awful news for the Bills. Wood is one of the top leaders on offense, but he has been injury prone. Wood missed seven games last season with an ACL tear, and the Bills were 1-6 without him. Buffalo has been working guard Kraig Urbik and rookie David Snow at center this week.

The Miami Dolphins put four-time Pro Bowl left tackle Jake Long on injured reserve Tuesday evening. Long tore his tricep muscle in the first half of Sunday’s 23-16 loss to the New England Patriots.

But here is the multi-million dollar question: Did Long just play his last game in Miami? The former No. 1 overall pick will be an unrestricted free agent in March after wrapping up his rookie contract.

Whether to re-sign Long or let him walk is the biggest decision Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland will make this offseason. It’s a complex situation with many layers.

Long was once considered the top left tackle in the NFL. But he’s been plagued by injuries and inconsistency the past two seasons. This is the second consecutive year Long ended his season on injured reserve. Can Miami make Long one of the NFL’s highest-paid linemen based on his play the past two seasons?

Long plays the premium position of left tackle, and good left tackles are hard to find. Long is no longer elite, but still a top-10 player at his position. The development of rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill also depends on good pass protection on the blindside.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the franchise tag is not an option for Long. Therefore, the Dolphins have narrowed their choices to a long-term extension or letting Long sign elsewhere.

The Dolphins (5-7) will start rookie Jonathan Martin at left tackle for the remainder of the season. Martin’s performance over the final four games could determine if Long returns to Miami next season.

MIAMI -- The "2012 AFC East Champion" T-shirts were handed out by the dozens Sunday evening. There was a celebratory feel inside Sun Life Stadium, but it wasn't for the home team.

The visiting New England Patriots clinched the AFC East title with a 23-16 victory over the Miami Dolphins. New England improved to 9-3 and has bigger things in mind -- such as the playoffs and a Super Bowl run.

Miami (5-7), on the other hand, was sullen in the home locker room after having its playoff hopes dashed. It's time for the Dolphins to start thinking about 2013 and beyond.

"Very frustrating," Dolphins center Mike Pouncey said in a quiet locker room. "I think all you guys know that you can’t make any mistakes against this football team. We missed on a lot of opportunities to make plays."

But if the Dolphins showed anything, it’s that they are not that far away from contending. This isn’t the bottom-feeder team most expected from Miami this year. The Dolphins have some pieces in place.

Sunday’s loss against New England -- the longtime kings of the AFC East -- provided the perfect blueprint of what the Dolphins need. For starters, Miami lacked the offensive firepower to keep pace with New England.

Miami’s defense played one of its best games of the season. The Patriots entered this game hot as the league’s No. 1 offense. New England scored 40 points or more four times this season but was held in check by the Dolphins. Miami stuffed New England’s running game and rattled quarterback Tom Brady with four sacks. The Patriots’ 23 points were their lowest since Week 6.

But Miami’s offense mostly settled for field goals and punts. Dolphins rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill was not at his best, completing just 13 of 29 passes for 186 yards. That certainly wasn’t good enough to beat Brady, even on an off day.

The Dolphins lacked the dynamic skill players to make big plays. Two perfect examples were Tannehill’s missed connections deep with receiver Brian Hartline that could have resulted in touchdowns.

“You’ve got to hit those,” Tannehill admitted after the game. “You don’t get too many shots like that.”

Miami’s defense was stout. But the Patriots were able to exploit its biggest weakness: cornerback.

The Dolphins traded former starter Vontae Davis this summer, and current starter Richard Marshall is on injured reserve with a back injury. Miami is down to Sean Smith and its fourth or fifth corners, and that’s where Wes Welker dominated.

Welker, a former Dolphin, had a successful return to Miami and caught 12 passes for 103 yards and a touchdown. Welker was the only player Miami couldn’t contain and the biggest reason the Patriots were able to move down the field in this game.

“He’s very crafty,” said Dolphins safety Reshad Jones, who had an interception in the game. “He has one of the best quarterbacks in the game to get him the ball. [Welker] does a great job on options routes, and he does a great job of getting loose."

In addition to offensive skill players and cornerbacks, the Dolphins also need to figure out their left tackle situation. Jake Long's future with the team became more murky after he suffered a triceps injury in the first quarter. Dolphins coach Joe Philbin did not provide specifics about the injury after the game, but the fact that Long was in street clothes in the second half is a sign he could miss extended time.

Long was easily the team’s best player two years ago. But he has fallen on hard times due to recent injuries and inconsistency. Long is not the elite left tackle he once was and is an injury risk. But he will command a hefty paycheck when he becomes a free agent in March. Miami’s offense certainly didn't look great without him against New England.

“Jake’s a great player, and it’s tough losing a guy like that,” Dolphins tailback Reggie Bush said. “His presence was definitely missed. But football must go on, and the next guy must step in and do the job.”

Miami rookie second-round pick Jonathan Martin was moved from right to left tackle. He is the best option on the roster and could be auditioning for the left tackle job if Long is out for an extended period.

Martin played left tackle at Stanford, where he was the personal protector for Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck. Martin didn’t embarrass himself in his first action at left tackle in the NFL and showed some good things.

“I think I did alright,” Martin said after the game. “I’m a little rusty [at left tackle]. It’s like a mirror image [from right tackle]. You just have to remember how your muscles feel and how your balance feels.”

The Patriots exposed Miami in these areas Sunday to win their 10th AFC East title in 12 years. But the good news is the Dolphins have plenty of cap space in 2013 and five draft picks in the first three rounds to patch these holes.

All Miami's front office has to do is use this film against New England as its guide for the offseason.